Somali security forces have arrested an al-Shabaab suspect in the capital following public tip off.
Officials in Deynile district have confirmed the arrest, saying the forces managed to nab Mohamed Hassan Ali.
The man was reportedly trying to fire mortar shell towards the city when the security forces bounced on him.
On Friday evening, the security who paraded Ali along with the mortar shell launcher said the suspect who is well-known in the district was a member of al-Shabaab sleeping cells.
Officials said he will be arraigned in court once an ongoing investigation into his case comes to an end.
In the past, Mogadishu had suffered many mortar shell attacks which claimed lives of dozens of people including officials and civilians.
Al-Shabaab lost control of the capital in 2011 after heavy clashes with Somali military backed by African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
After losing large swarth territories in south and central Somalia, al-Shabaab fighters opted hit and run tactics.
The group also attacks military bases out the capital.
Recently, Somali military backed by the country’s ally forces intensified operations against al-Shabaab in many parts of the country including Lower Shabelle and Jubba regions as well as Galgaduud region.
